A glossary of Channel Island terms

The Channel Islands have many job titles, geographical terms, weights and measures and other words which are unique to one or more of the islands, or have a meaning different to that found elsewhere. This list and the descriptions to which it links, are partly based on a 1945 article by historian the Rev George Balleine and also on Christopher Aubin's 2011 book A Glossary for the Historian of Jersey. The glossary includes a selection of words relating to the structure and positions in the era when Guernsey and Jersey were administered on a feudal basis, with power lying in the hands of the seigneurs of the fiefs. This glossary is not, therefore, an index to Donkipedia and Jerripedia, but an introduction to some of the more obscure subjects to be found within their pages.

A

Abjuration, the process by which Huguenot Roman Catholic immigrants from France to Jersey and Guernsey were required to renounce their religion

Acre - Ancient land measures equivalent to two Vergées. The vergée is different in Jersey and Guernsey and their acres were not identical, nor were they the exact equivalent of the French or English acre.

Advocate, a lawyer with a right of hearing before the courts of Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney

Apprécieur, a valuer of land in Jersey. Each of the 12 parishes has appointed six since 1891. In Guernsey the land surveying and valuing was done by the people who compiled the Livres de Perchage - who were tenants of the fief, not specially-qualified office holders. Today the Cadastre department of the States holds the records of land ownership.

Arpenteur public, land surveyor or measurer, qualified to provide land measurements for Jersey's Royal Court and also for private clients in connection with leases and property transactions.

Assemblée, an assembly, usually of parish principals and officers. This term may once have been used in Guernsey but the English 'meeting' is used today.

B

Bailiwick, the Channel Islands are divided into the Bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey

Banon, land open to parishioners to graze their cattle in both Guernsey and Jersey

Billet d'Etats, the agenda and papers relating to a meeting of the States

Boisseaux (or bushels), an old Guernsey wheat measure. There were six denerels to the bushel, and four bushels to the quarter (quartier). One wheat bushel is equal to 13½ 'pots' of liquid measure.

Bornement, permit required from the parish douzaine in Guernsey to make alterations to property within 9m of the public highway

Bouvée, a land measure from the 14th century and earlier, equivalent to 24 vergées. Those occupying a bouvée in Jersey had a significant standing in their parish. A caruée was equal to ten bouvées. Guernsey used this term for land measurement but the same status was not involved. There were 20 bouvée to the Guernsey caruée.

Branchage, cutting of roadside verges and hedges. The same process is undertaken in Guernsey but the term 'branchage' is not used.

The colombier at Samares Manor

C

Cabot, a measure of volume, unique to Jersey: an eighth of a quartier. Important in determining the value of rentes.

Colombier, a dovecot. Only the seigneurs of major fiefs were permitted to have colombiers, on the basis that the doves/pigeons fed on the grain in surrounding fields. An illegally erected colombier would have to be demolished, or a fine paid to allow it to remain.

HM Comptrolleur, the title of His/Her Majesty's Comptrolleur or Solicitor-General in Guernsey

Congé, levy paid by the purchaser of property to the Seigneur of a Fief

Constable (Connétable), In Jersey, the elected head of each parish. In Guernsey the constable is an elected parish officer who is responsible for implementing and enforcing the decisions of the parish Douzaine.

W, X, Y, Z

Further reading

A Glossary for the Historian of Jersey, by C N Aubin. This Jersey Heritage publication, still in print, is heavily weighted towards legal terms, but can be very useful for anyone conducting detailed research into their family history involving the study of contracts and other court documents.